Burning v. Replicating

• How many copies of the DVD are needed?
• In which type of device(s) will the DVD be played?
• Will the DVD be viewed by a specific or a very broad audience?
• Is the project a DVD-5 or DVD-9?

These are the four most important questions that need to be considered before deciding on the method used to create multiple copies of your DVD.

While there are a growing number of physical DVD disc formats, we will focus on three most common types used today to deliver a project to end users: Molded/Replicated DVD, DVD-R Authoring Media, and DVD-R General Media.

If you need 50 or more copies of a DVD, the best option is replication. A DVD that you purchase from a retail chain or rent at the video store is a molded/replicated disc. This means that a master copy of the DVD program is delivered to a replication facility where a glass-master or stamper is created. The stamper is then used to create copies of the DVD. Each copy of the DVD has very small pits that are read by a laser when the disc is played back in a DVD player or computer. Both published reports and anecdotal evidence show that a molded/replicated DVD is the most compatible way to deliver your project.

If you need just a handful of copies, DVD-R is often the best and most cost effective choice. However, knowing the audience will determine which type of DVD-R media (Authoring or General) should be used.

Many people are familiar with the concept of burning a DVD. This is where a blank recordable DVD (DVD-R) is inserted into a DVD writable drive. The DVD-R has special dyes that are affected by the laser in the recordable drive. The changes in the dye are read by the laser on the playback DVD drive.

If the project will be played back in an environment with devices that are capable of playing DVD-R General Media, (i.e. a professional player at a tradeshow or exhibition), this less expensive media can be used. However, if the DVDs will be going to broader audience that will playback in a variety of devices, DVD-R Authoring Media should be used.

DVD-9 recordable drives are new to the market and there are many issues with player compatibility. While this makes the new dual layered DVD9 recordable discs unsuitable for distribution, they are extremely useful  as check discs. They allow  for enhanced quality control, saving time and money in the authoring and pre-mastering phases of DVD production.